Berwick looks to win 2nd straight versus Hanson

Berwick pulled out a big win in its home opener last week, but longtime rival Hanson Memorial comes to town unbeaten Friday.
Berwick (1-1) beat New Iberia-based Highland Baptist 28-21, overcoming a 21-20 deficit in the third quarter.
The Panthers scored on their first drive of the game, going 72 yards while taking 4:45 off the clock before scoring on a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jeremy Boudreaux to Marquis Rogers.
Berwick used a Bears’ turnover on downs to set up the next scoring drive, capped by a 48-yard touchdown pass to freshman Kenan Jones with 6:03 left in the second quarter.
Berwick’s top receivers are Audwin Williams with 10 catches for 132 yards a score; Jones, four catches for 80 yards, two touchdowns; and Rogers, two catches for 25 yards and a score.
Highland Baptist looked like it may go into halftime without scoring, but the Bears’ Gary Roberts intercepted a pass, his first of three passes Friday, returning the pick 52 yards for a touchdown with 1:03 left in the second quarter.
However, Berwick responded with Jones catching another touchdown pass just 19 seconds before halftime. The Panthers went into the half with a 20-7 lead after not being able to get an extra point off due to a bad snap.
But, turnovers would be a big factor in the game for Berwick in the second half. The Panthers had several ball handling miscues.
“We played pretty well, but we can’t have five or six turnovers against the teams we’ll be playing the rest of the season,” Berwick coach Craig Brodie said. “The game really shouldn’t have been that close, but when you keep giving the ball back to a team, they’ll eventually make you pay.”
Berwick also had 10 penalties for 80 yards.
Highland Baptist took advantage of another of Roberts’ interceptions that led to a touchdown pass, taking a 21-20 lead with 2:56 to go in the third quarter.
After the Panthers threw another interception and lost another fumble, both which Highland Baptist failed to get any points from, Berwick started its subsequent drive at midfield.
Braden Billiot’s 33-yard run set up an 8-yard Boudreaux touchdown run with 6:04 left in the game. Billiot led the Panthers with 152 yards rushing on 13 carries.
On Highland Baptist’s next possession, Berwick recovered a fumble that the Panthers’ Justin Morvant ran back more than 70 yards for a touchdown, but the touchdown was called back after a block in the back penalty against the Panthers.
Still, Berwick maintained possession of the ball and sealed the victory.
“We were going to go up by two touchdowns and the games over, but a young kid blocked somebody in the back, unnecessary, 30 yards into the play,” Brodie said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to build on this and keep getting better every week. But I’m very happy with the team’s effort.”
The Panthers outgained the Bears 409-232 in total offense.
Boudreaux was 11-of-18 for 176 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions Friday. He’s 18-of-30 passing for 247 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions in two games.
In addition to his receiving yards, Rogers has carried the ball eight times for 28 yards this season.
Billiot is the third leading rusher in the area with 18 carries for 183 yards.
Others leading rushers for Berwick this year include Justin Morvant, four carries for 28 yards, and Dralyn West, seven carries for 23 yards and a score.
As for Hanson, the Tigers beat Catholic (PC) 32-6 last week and Jeanerette 26-6 in week 1.
“They have a good senior class there, a lot of kids returning and their running back is a horse,” Brodie said. “He carried the ball 30 times last week. We have to play well to slow them down.”
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.